Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Who will guard the guards themselves? Photojournalism, among other things, is an antidote to the natural tendencies towards political corruption.
My story today isn’t about the hostage standoff itself, as I’m sure everyone has the details on that. We’re all grateful that the hostages are now safe, and at least physically unharmed (I’m sure the poor little kids will need counseling due to the trauma).
No, my story isn’t about what took place inside the house, my story is about the war on journalism that is occurring everywhere within the United States, and which manifested itself once again today in the streets of Harvey, IL.
The police had managed to corral all the corporate media establishment into one small area know as the “designated media area,” which was located about three blocks away from the actual site of the standoff. I really couldn’t see anything at all from that position.
One AP photographer with whom I spoke, said that the police were afraid that the hostage takers might watch the news, so they asked everyone to keep away. As the AP photographer expressed his opinion about how he felt this was rather odd, another photographer that was standing there said that “they [the police] usually cut the power in these situations, so they can’t see anything. I don’t know why they didn’t do that here.”
I mentioned that this restriction on the media didn’t make any sense because there were people with cameras everywhere, and, even if the hostage takers didn’t have a television, they most certainly were able to get on Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook to see what people were posting.
I’ve noticed a certain lethargy among many photojournalists who work for the major outlets, and today was no exception. The entire media world seemed to be standing around waiting for some government official to step up to the microphone, and then when they arrived, the media people all scrambled to get the closest shot! A media frenzy, like a school of hungry piranha!
Meanwhile, as the corporate media establishment ate melons under the shade of their raised SUV hatches, I went out to get the story, and, to watch the watchmen.
I quickly discovered that law enforcement was clearly singling out freelance journalists, and forcing them to leave non-restricted areas.
As I approached this Cook County Sheriff (below), I said “‘Good morning,” and inquired whether I could stand about a quarter block away, where a half-dozen people were standing and watching what was going on. There were also other individuals standing further down the block, past the police line, closer to the scene, attempting to observe what was happening.
The officer told me that no one could be in that area due to “safety reasons,” explaining that “We don’t want anyone accidentally getting shot.”
The officer didn’t mention anything about the hostage takers being able to see my photos, so I inquired as to why the other people were allowed to be in the area, if it was a matter of someone getting accidentally shot. The officer aggressively responded, “If you ask me another fucking question, I’m going to arrest your fucking ass for obstructing an investigation!” as his spittle sprayed in my face (Note: multiple protesters down in Ferguson, MO., told me when I was down there, that the police were spraying spittle in their faces. Must be a new technique).
“You’re going to arrest me for asking a rather obvious question? Really?” I replied. I also told him that I had an audio recorder uploading audio to the cloud as we were speaking (this is a little defense strategy that I’ve learned to employ on cops who get overly aggressive. I don’t have that kind of technology, but it sure gets the cops to tone down a bit).
The officer then said, “I don’t care. If you cross this line, I’ll arrest you.” I replied, “I’m not crossing the line, and I have no intention of crossing any boundary, that’s why I’m asking this question, why can all those people be there, and I can’t?”
At this point, a newsman from one of the networks was watching and shaking his head over how the officer was acting. What a real piece of work this guy was.
I then walked several blocks to a police line over by the Rosa L. Parks Middle School. I was quickly met with an even more aggressive officer who simply started yelling, “Get the fuck out of here” as soon as I walked up to the police line.
“But I’m behind the line,” I said. The officer then yelled back, “I don’t care, get the fuck out of here or I’ll arrest you.” Not having bail money, I walked back to the corporate media establishment’s “designated media area.”
After spending several minutes at the media encampment, I decided to walk back to the police line over on 146th and Seeley Ave.
When I arrived at the police line on Seeley, I ran into Bob Jackson, Executive Director of Roseland CeaseFire. I had first met Bob this past winter, while working for the BBC to produce a radio report on Chicago gun violence.
Bob and I were standing approximately 100 feet away from the police line, as I told him about how I had been driven off by the police several times, and that it seemed as if the police were applying special rules for reporters and journalists. No sooner had I gotten my words out, when officer Wright of the Dixmoor Police Department quickly pulled up, exited his car, pointed straight at me and yelled “Hey you, come here.”
“Let me see your press credentials,” he exclaimed as I approached the officer. I showed him my credentials, he summarily looked them over, and then told me that I couldn’t be there, that I needed to stay in the “designated media area.” I asked officer Wright why I would have to leave, seeing that I wasn’t anywhere near the police tape, and that other people were present and moving freely about. Wright told me that the reason I needed to leave, was due to “safety concerns,” as the area was one in which there could be possible gunfire.
Bob Jackson then extended his hand to officer Wright, introduced himself while explaining that I was a friend of his, and that he lived on the block. The officer then stated that he didn’t care whose friend I was, and that I needed to leave or I would be arrested. I told officer Wright that he was wrong; that I understood he had the power to arrest me, break my equipment, and take my memory cards, but that he was not morally, nor legally right. I then abruptly turned around, and walked away.
This was the third officer in under one hour who had singled me out, and threatened me with arrest if I refused to leave. I never crossed any police line, and was always in areas where there were other people walking freely about. Many were using the cameras in their phones. (UPDATE: The major news outlets have had to use a home video taken by a local resident in their reportage! They sent all those journalists out, and ended up buying home video taken from a cellphone).
This was a blatant breach of my civil liberties, and more importantly, a violation of the sacred principles that these officers, at one point in time, raised their right hands and swore an oath to defend.
As far as I am aware, the photo below is the only one taken of the SWAT team just moments before they entered the home, thus ending the 20-hour standoff.
Who watches the watchmen? What is the proper balance between public safety, and freedom of the press? In my mind, the press should have accommodations that allow a clear view of scenes such as these. What if the hostage takers would have surrendered, only to have been shot down as they peaceably exited the house?
There is a war today between law enforcement and journalists. Power never likes to be observed, and unobserved power quickly turns to tyranny.